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Message from Dr. Jerry Thomas, Chair and Professor
We are pleased that you are looking at our Department through our home page. We have recently changed our departmental name from Health and Human Performance to Kinesiology. Kinesiology means the study of physical activity and is a name of increasing use for our discipline. For example, the National Research Council (a part of the National Academy of Science) uses Kinesiology as the name for our field and places us with other life sciences. Our Department was recently ranked 20th in a review of Kinesiology doctoral programs by the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Now is a time of exciting growth and development for Kinesiology--see our Strategic Plan elsewhere on our home page.
The Kinesiology
undergraduate program is a B.S. in Kinesiology and Health (over 700 majors)
with options in athletic training (accredited program), community and public
health, community sport and recreation, exercise science (pre-health professions
such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine), health/fitness
management (work in fitness industry), and physical education pedagogy
(accredited program in teacher education). Kinesiology is an active
participant in the University Honors Program. Internships are offered
in all of the B.S. options with full-semester placement at appropriate
sites locally, nationally, and internationally. We have three full-time
undergraduate advisors who are devoted to helping students plan and
complete their program of study. Also, we offer minors or special
programs in athletic coaching, dance, and health education. We work
with the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition for a special
B.S/M.S program in Diet and Exercise. We offer an elective physical
activity program (e.g., golf, tennis, fitness, swimming, bowling) and
an elective health program (e.g., personal health, first aid, CPR) open
to all students.
Our graduate
programs lead to the M.S. or Ph.D. in Kinesiology with options in the Biological
Basis of Physical Activity (exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control)
and the Behavioral Basis of Physical Activity (exercise psychology, physical
activity and health promotion, physical education pedagogy). We accept only
full-time students in our Ph.D. program and provide graduate assistantship
support to all Ph.D. students and many M.S. students.
Our Department
has a dynamic and dedicated faculty who focus on teaching and student learning,
research and scholarship, and service and outreach. We have outstanding research
laboratories and equipment in all areas of Kinesiology-applied motor development
and physical education, biomechanics, exercise physiology (cellular and molecular,
metabolism, cardiovascular and fitness), exercise psychology, motor behavior
(control, development, and learning), and physical activity and health promotion,
as well as an excellent teaching laboratory. Faculty are successful with many
grants and contracts to support our research, students, and laboratories. Also,
they are very productive in scholarly publications and presentations (many involving
graduate and undergraduate students), and professionally active in our various
sub-disciplinary areas.
Our building
is named after retired Professor and Chair, Dr. Barbara Forker, and includes
excellent facilities. In addition to the previously mentioned research and
teaching laboratories, Kinesiology has excellent electronically equipped classrooms,
large student computer lab, fitness center, dance studios, martial arts room,
several large gymnasia, and a swimming pool. We have access to other facilities
on campus including the student recreation center, multi-purpose outdoor space,
tennis courts, and golf course.
Kinesiology has many outreach activities including an Exercise Clinic
(for faculty, staff, and community), assessment of health for Iowa State
Troopers, Children's Summer Fitness program, Swim and Gym children program,
physical education for Ames home schooled children, physical activity for
disadvantaged children, and athletic training support for local schools.
Look over
the materials on our homepage. If you have questions, contact an
undergraduate advisor or the Graduate Coordinator. Iowa State
University is a quality research university in the Big 12 Conference,
and Ames is a wonderful town for students. Numerous evaluations have
identified Ames as a top U.S. small city. The Department of Kinesiology
cares about our students. Join us in promoting physical activity and
health. Working in our field is rewarding and fun.
Jerry R. Thomas
Chair
and Professor
Strengths of the Kinesiology Program at Iowa State
- Outstanding and nationally recognized faculty
- Nationally ranked Department
- Excellent full-time undergraduate advisors
- Active participation in University Honors Program
- Well equipped research and teaching laboratories in all areas
- Local, national, and international placement for internship sites
- Research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students
- Scholarships for undergraduate majors
- Graduate assistantships and scholarships for M.S. and Ph.D. students
- Excellent and active student organizations in all areas
- Success in career placement for students
- Professional conferences and field trip opportunities
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